A chief doctor who was tending to COVID-19 patients while working at the critical care unit at a Baltimore hospital passed away in the arms of his beloved husband.
56-year-old Joseph Costa was the head of the ICU at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, when he contracted coronavirus presumably from one of his patients.
According to Costa’s husband-of-28-years, David R. Hart, he begged the doctor not to risk his life by returning to work due to the risks associated with his underlying autoimmune disorder.
“I begged him not to go to work. When you see people without masks, you think, ‘Are you out of your mind?’ This disease will take you out in a heartbeat,” Hart said in an interview with The Washington Post.
As the heartbroken husband added, he was never apart from Costa ever since the two tied the knot nearly three decades ago.
Speaking to The Baltimore Sun, Hart, who was also diagnosed with COVID-19, added: “Those who cared for Joe were his best friends. I keep thinking, now there is one less ICU doctor to care for pandemic patients in Baltimore.”
Paying respects to the devout doctor who lost his life while saving lives of complete strangers were also hospital officials who dubbed Costa “a true friend to many.”
“Joe was more than a trusted colleague. He was also a true friend to many. He dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients,” David N. Maine and Sister Helen Amos expressed in a joint statement.
“And when the global pandemic came down upon us, Joe selflessly continued his work on the front lines – deeply committed to serving our patients and our city during this time of great need.”
May he rest in peace.
Replaced!